Five high school bands from the state's west side are planning to be at Detroit's Ford Field this weekend to compete in a regional band competition, but the bus drivers will not be taking the normal route to Detroit by way of eastbound Interstate 96.

Instead, they have mapped out another route to avoid any trouble along the interstate. Since Oct. 16, 24 shootings incidents have been reported, but only three along a stretch of I-96.

"The worry is just safety for our students," said Grandville High School Principal Randy Morris. "If these shootings are random then a big yellow school bus going down the highway could be a target."

Morris said the Grandville buses will carry a total of 100 school marching band members. Parents also will be driving behind the bus. Bus drivers will have to drive about 17 miles out of the way. School leaders say they would rather be safe than sorry.

"We're entrusted with the most precious things (the parents) have in their lives -- their sons and their daughters," said Morris.

-- Police have a sketch of what the suspect may look like.

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